like the Amatola Classic etc. - I just don’t think the trailer would have made it down there!
I’m now an organiser of the BETT series
How did that come about?
Well I’m a Varkenelli Pro-staffer. When the BETT folded, Justy and a few guys decided to keep it going, and I was roped in by Justy. It’s ok though, I quite enjoy it actually.
Have you ever won a competition or tournament?
Nope, but I came close!
What was your fondest memory at one or more of these events?
I would have to say that 2nd ever tournament we fished at Harties where we came 3rd. I won't forget that in a hurry!
The other was blanking 8 out of 9 BETT events in a year with Richard. It wasn’t altogether a bad thing as we’d use the BETT as a warm-up and the next day we’d do well in the Cast for Cash and somehow always landed in the money. It was quite something!
Worst memory at one or more of these events, or in general at these events?
00- Albert Falls Classic in 2008 or 2009, where so many 00- boats sank, or got flooded. The wind came up and 00- there were huge waves. The NRSI warned us to get 00- off the water and told us to go to a certain bank. 00- The problem with that was the bank they chose )000was the bank that the waves broke onto, so there 000were hordes of boats that got flooded. It was really 00 -horrible to see that.
00- And lying 5th in the BETT in 2012, and then 00- 0-0-blanking in the middle of the spawn at Nandoni 00- while everyone else was catching 10-12kg bags 00 - ---while we didn’t even catch 1 fish. It was terrible - I 00--was NOT a happy chappy! That pushed us right 00--down to 14th position.
Do you enjoy fishing on your own?
To an extent, however I always prefer fishing with someone, to keep me company. Sometimes they latch onto a good fish so that helps. I also pre-fish with my cousin, Adrian van Vuuren. We do quite well together. I think the main thing is to just have fun.
Bass Digest/January, 2014